Blackberry Oatmeal Bars

I used the Raspberry Oatmeal Bars recipe out of The Best of Vegan Baking, but put my own twist on it of course.  When do I ever follow a recipe to a tee?

Blackberry Oatmeal Bars

(adapted from The Best of Vegan Baking)

• 1/2 c whole wheat flour
• 1/2 c all purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 c quick cooking oats
• 1/2 c rolled oats
• 2T  Bestlife buttery spread
• 1/2 c unsweetened applesauce
• 1/4 c packed brown sugar
• 1/4 c Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 c frozen blackberries

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F and grease a 8x8 baking pan.
2. Combine all the dry ingredients together and set aside
3. Melt the buttery spread and mix in sugar, applesauce, almond breeze and vanilla until combined.  Add in all dry ingredients until combined, which will be a bit crumbly.
4. Spread oat mixture and press into pan, then spread blackberries out on top, pressing them into the batter.
5. Bake for 35 minutes or until set and cool on a cooling rack.

Bring It!

The weekend is here!!! Yay!!!  I may have only worked 4 days this week but I’ve been so excited for the weekend! Rain? Cold? Ain’t gonna stop me from a good time!  I’ve got a fun run planned along with a date…one day I’ll let you in on some details, but for now, you can just keep guessing.  Unless you find the few people I’ve talked to about him and pry them for information.  Go ahead and try; I dare ya. (wink wink)

Anyhow, today was a normal day for me.  The weather actually cooperated and warmed up with just a slight wind.  I got to wear just a t-shirt instead of 10 layers of tops!

If you guys are getting tired of looking at sunrise just le me know.  I think they might be starting to all look the same…Maybe next time I can get pictures of the squirrels…they’re feisty though!

What? You don’t eat your Apple Cinnamon Almond Butter Oats (I promise they will change up soon; I’m a creature of habit and hugner) out of Juniper Trees?  Well I certainly do.  Ok, I held onto the bowl and didn’t eat straight out of the tree…but I bet I could; no one to catch me and feel embarrassed! LOL!

Hours and lots of beautiful birds later I had lunch: leftover brown rice, TJ’s Marsala Burger, cucumber, tomato, bell pepper and spinach.

And my last of these bars…I need to figure out how to make them more peanut-y flavored, like my favorite Odwalla Bar.  Mama Pea, can you recreate Odwalla Bars Peanut Chocolate Chip Bar? I’ll pay you in babysitting.  Yes, I’ll fly to your home just for this.

I snacked on a small apple on the long drive home and then had every intention of doing some P90X when I got home, but I was starving.  Enter, snack dug out of the freezer with almond butter.

That did me no good appetite wise as I was still hungry shortly afterwards.  I guess my lunch wasn’t as protein or packed as much as I thought it was…dang those whole grains for not holding me over.

I wanted something quick and simple so I went with leftovers: TJ’s Black Bean Soup with Flat Out and Cheddar Quesadilla.

Paired with the brightest and sweetest pluot on the planet!

I’m not currently debating whether or not to go and buy Halloween Candy for the kiddos Sunday night because truth me be told, I don’t like Halloween at all.  I have never really liked it and always felt ridiculous dressing up in costumes every year.  I know, party pooper but whatever.  It’s just another commercial holiday to me, which is what I feel like Thanksgiving and Christmas are turning into.  Makes me mad that holidays can’t just be holidays and about family anymore.

Oh, and I’m snacking on some PB Filled Pretzel Nuggets.  I think I’ve eaten 2 servings…IDK, cause it’s right out of the bag.  Oops.

But for some Friday fun, I got tagged my one of my fellow SoCal Bloggers, Kailtin, for a survey!  Basically 8 questions are asked by a blogger to seven other bloggers, who then ask 8 different/new questions to seven new bloggers!  Did you get that? I hope so, cause I don’t want to try and repeat it.  So, here’s my answers!

What was your motivation to start blogging?

-I originally started blogging to help me with my eating disorder.  I thought that by putting myself out there with my eats it would help me realize how distorted my views were on food and take the right steps to recover.  And I wanted to make some friends because I was living and alone and working a boring 9-5 desk job!

If you had to sum up your blog with five words, what would they be?

-“Running, Vegetarian, Birds, Environment, Recovery”

Do you have any embarrassing blog-related moments? If so, spill!

-Oh geez, I’m sure I’ve had more than one and can’t remember any…

What is a dish you’ve been too intimidated to try?

-How about everything I’ve never made?  Souffle? Gnocci? Lemon Curd?  Chowder?  Ice cream?  Moussaka?

What is your favorite dish to cook for others?

-I love to make stuffed Portabello Mushrooms or Mushroom Burgers for others.  I think it serves as a good example of how good mushrooms can be and they’re so simple to make!

What was the first healthy living, food or fitness blog you discovered?

-I first read Eat Like Me from Self Magazine’s website years ago.  It was such a great blog (and still is!) to see how to eat balanced!

Do you crave sweet or salty? Or both? Or neither? But if you say neither, I’ll assume you’re lying…

Both.  Story of my life. I usually crave sweet first, and then afterwards want something salty to balance everything out.  Maybe if I just ate something that was sweet and salty at the same time I wouldn’t eat/snack as much? Dark chocolate with sea salt?! Need to go shopping!

What is your favorite restaurant not in or very close to a town in which you live or have lived?

Holy mackerel…How about I take you to another country?!  Lake Barrine, Far North Queensland, Australia: Lake Barrine Tea House Restaurant.  Located on the lake side and serves the best scones, cream and tea around.  Was great after all those runs around the lake on the boardwalk and when it was pouring rain outside.

So, partake if you want, but don’t worry if you don’t; my heart will only break a little.  I kid.  A little.

1. Mama Pea
2. Meghann
3. Diana
4. Maria
5. Krista
6. Jenn
7. Jess

Ready for my questions?  I’m sure you won’t be impressed. Har har har.

1. What celebrity chef do you want to meet in person?  And what do you want them to make for you?

2. Favorite drink of choice?

3. What meal would you never eat ever again?

4. Baking or cooking?

5. There’s a fire in your kitchen, what would you grab first?

6. You’re cooking dinner for Barak Obama; What would you make him?

7. I’m coming to your house to run a race.and you have to feed me.  What is one thing from your city/town I must try?

8. How do you take your ice cream?

Enjoy!

Relaxation Techniques

If you’ve known me as long as some of my friends, you know how stressed out I used to get.  Ok, I still get stressed out, but definitely not anywhere near as much.
I would stress out about ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING, from projects and papers for school, making sure I was getting in exercise/running, that my room was clean, I could hang out with my friends, and anything else under the sun.  I was the moodiest and biggest party pooper because of this stress.  I had a tendency to snap and really, cease to laugh.  I was always worried about something or other.
But over the years, I have been able to sit back and just…take things as they come.  Wake up late? Get out the door quick and make up for time lost when you can.  Car break down?  Call a tow truck and get it fixed. Friend can’t make it for the weekend?  Find something else to explore. Hurt your knee from running and can’t train? Focus on the things you ignore now that you have the time.

When I was in college I took a tai chi class and while focusing on our “chi” we were also taught how to relax…to focus on the now and clam our bodies and mind.  I was told to focus on a red ball…something along the lines of a sun setting or rising in the distance.  Breathe deep, and focus on it.  Admire the beauty of the sun and it’s colors, taking the moment as it is.
That has helped me through so many nights where I never thought I would be able to go to sleep, pull my hair out or scream to the high heavens.  And I’ve realized that I now start every single day on this note, and believe it helps me be at peace with doing what I love/makes me happy and doing my work to the best of my ability.
Desert sunrises never cease to amaze me.

(btw, do not follow my example of driving and taking photos at the same time…I know, tsk tsk)

Clouds also help…the make everything change and scatter in the sky.


So the next time you feel like you can’t breathe because things aren’t going as planned, take a step back and look at that sun.  Close your mind for just a moment and breathe in the moment.  Feel the air, the heat of the sun, the smell of the trees (or traffic, depending on where you are, lol) and I swear, you’ll feel so much better afterwards.

If not, try it again. And again.  And again.  One day, I hope it will work for you.  But if it doesn't, what do you do to relax, spur of the moment or scheduled?
After the relaxing start to my morning…well, beforehand it wasn’t so relaxing as I forgot some things and didn’t get to eat my breakfast before I left, I arrived at my first survey HANGRY.  Thank goodness for tupperware.  Sorry for the repetition foodwise…I’m going with what works right now!

Gigant-o golden-blush apple, almond butter, and oats.  Totally belly sustaining!
Hours and lots and lots of new and old bird species later, I was ready for lunch. Can’t tell what’s in the bag?  Don’t worry, it’s simple: spinach, tomato, bell pepper, cucumber, cheddar cheese and mustard.  And the obvious banana.

Don’t mistaken that beautiful scenery for gorgeous weather…it was 40 degrees as I was taking that picture.  Not counting the wind chill.  Oh yes…But it’s so pretty!

I snacked on an apple and PB and Chocolate Chip PB Raspberry Bar on the way home before shooting out the door for a nice relaxing run. Huff…is how I’m going to put that run. I don’t know how I’m going to survive winter because combining cold and winds, I’m a sissy.  How do you East Coasters do it?  I’m open for any suggestions…I need help for the two 1/2 marathons I’m going to have to train for during the winter!  Yikes!
Anyhow, I ran 4.6 miles and walked another one mile to cool down and did about 20 minutes of strength training afterwards.  I’ve been work’n the abs hard and it’s paying off!
I was excited for dinner tonight as I’ve had it on my mind all day…these  babies scream warmth and winter to me.  Stuffed Bell Peppers anyone?

I mixed leftover brown rice from last night with 1/2 a can of TJ’s Black Bean Soup, smashed it into the pepper and cooked it in about an inch of water for 10 minutes, or until the bell pepper hit the consistency I like.

I also had a peach on the side, that I took out to work with me but never got around to eating.  I would have saved it for tomorrow but it was on it’s last leg…oh peaches how fragile you are!

The night is ending with another one of my homemade bars and a bowl of cereal.  I don’t really think I’m hungry…but my sweet tooth is hungry.  Too bad I’ve noticed that if I eat something sugary too close to going to sleep I wake up with a horrendous sugar hangover headache.  Ugg, live and learn…lets hope this lesson happens quick!  such an icky feeling!
It’s Friday tomorrow though, yay!  What are you guys up to this weekend?  I’ve got another date and some shopping to do for the FB Fest next weekend!  I can’t believe it’s already here!  Need.New.Clothes.Now!

Why I Don’t Moonlight in Fashion

Because I spend the majority of my day(s) looking like this:

Yes yes yes…I know I look hot, sporting that awesome green head/earband with sunglasses and the wind-made Snookie hair bump.  But wait?  The marroon jacket and grey and black wind breaker!?  I would show you my lower half, but I think you’d be embarrassed.  Ok, it’s not that bad…I was wearing jeans and converse…with mid-calve high blue wool socks.

I know you want my fashion sense.  And no, I did not wear this on my date…I do have normal clothes.  Like, three.  Hahaha…

Ergo, I work in the field because I don’t know how to color coordinate and never get to see a single soul for 8 hours straight.  Oh yes…that is my life.

Do you have a staple style? Colors? Let me in on the secrets…because I obviously don’t know any of them.  I normally try to follow the three color rule to get in some variety but otherwise I’m boring.  I don’t even accessorize…

Anyhow…another cold morning for this chick.  And what better to warm me up that oats, apple, cinnamon and almond butter?  This stuff tastes great and sits like a brick in my belly…oh yeah.

Nom, nom, nom.

The morning didn’t start off quite as well as I would have hoped it would…since I woke up an hour late!  Honey is usually good at waking me up just before my alarm clock but today…cat alarm fail.  The sun was up when I opened my eyes when it should have still been down.

Luckily I made that delicious breakfast the night before and only had to make my lunch and it was quick.  I went and did a bit of shopping yesterday and picked up some reeeeeeaaaaaal cheese.  I’m sick of using the fake stuff because seriously, it just doesn’t hold me over and keep me full!  I mean really?  Why do I even think of eating things that aren’t real.  Yet another turning point for me and my eating…yay.

Alas, I mixed an entire egg with some hummus and cooked it up.  If you have not done this, I highly suggest mixing the two.  It will chance your life.  Ok, probably not, but it is certainly tasty!  I laid it out on some real sharp cheddar cheese with a huge chunk of tomato and lettuce.

With a banana.  Awesome filling and satisfying lunch.  Held me over for hours.

As soon as I got home from work I jammed an apple down my throat and went out for the windiest run on the entire planet.  I was actually fuming mad as it was blowing in my face and I think it was the only thing that kept me going. 3.5 miles later I was home, showered and off to see my counselor.

When I got home I was STARVING. Too bad the cat wanted to play because I had been gone all day.  Which also resorted in a very large, deep and bloody cut on my right leg. Honey = 1, Melissa = Bloodied.

Thank goodness I had rice cooking in my cooker before I left so all I had to do was make the veggies and protein for my stir fry!!!  After seeing Jenn’s stir fry from last weekend, I had to have some. 

Brown rice sided with a mix of onion, garlic, cauliflower, broccoli, carrot, zucchini and a chick’n burger.  All mixed with low sodium soy sauce and some ginger.

Best.Dinner.In.A.While.

And yes, that picture was taken on my balcony.  I was loving the colors, and natural lighting…since I was actually home for some.

Whooooo nelly!

Even after 9 hours of sleep last night, I’m still exhausted.  So early bed tonight.  Of course not after catching up on your blogs.  Or at least trying.  I’m trying my hardest!!!

NCIS vs. GLEE

So, everyone is all gah-gah over the Rocky Horror Picture Show episode of GLEE tonight…yet what am I watching? NCIS.  Sorry people, die hard fan here.  I’ll watch GLEE tomorrow when it’s on Hulu.  Thank goodness for the internet, right?

Anyhow, like GLEE should be the talk of my blog.  I work for the WILD people!  Like the sunrise…

In the SUB ZERO CELCIUS TEMPERATURES and sustained 40mph winds.  Am I whining much?  I need to get off that boat…I love my jog I love my job…

I was exhausted when I woke up this morning so even making oats felt too complicated…hence the cereal mess with banana and two leftover strawberries.

I regretted it the moment I finished.  I wanted warm oats in my belly. Instead I had a cold banana and mush.

But this was certainly nice to drive up to as I arrived and started my day:

My body reacts badly to extreme changes in temperature change so I was having a hard time adjusting to the bitter cold I had to stand in.  I used the jeep as much as I could to block the wind, but it was coming from all directions.

The cold suppressed my feelings of hunger so the second I warmed up my belly was growl’n!  Enter an apple and PB and Chocolate Chip Raspberry Bar.

I had to do some steak outs in the afternoon which required me to drive pretty far, so lunch was necessary to bring and it was packed with deliciousness! I filled a Flat Out Wrap with some hummus, string cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuce.

And paired it with a pear.

I wanted to run but figured my knee might still be a bit sensitive, though not hurting exactly today (it was wayyyy painful yesterday from the 10 miler this weekend) but with the winds still blowing and the temps in the mid 40’s, I decided otherwise.

Now let me tell you, I felt lazy.  I felt an overwhelming amount of guilt.  I wanted to run despite the worry about my knee and the cold.  But I didn’t.  I made myself understand that it was ok to take two days off in  row; My body will not change overnight into something I will believe ugly.  There, is always tomorrow, when I am well, and healed.  I find it amazing how my mind can go from thinking completely outrageous and irrational to more rational.  And then how much it can change the anxiety or emotions I have building up in my body.

I hit up the apple farm after work to pick up some much needed apples (Goldblush are out; OMG AMAZING!) and snacked on one with some PB Puffins after I got home. 

But then I made a big girl decision: I bought my first ever hair dyer!  Ok, not so extravagant, seeing as how I’ve done crazy things with my life like travel the world, drive airboats, and catch wild birds.  The real reason? Uh, it’s cold and I don’t want to go to bed with my hair wet, especially since I don’t use the heater at night.  Yep, got that right.  Cold temps in this apartment!

Anyhow, I’m on my last serving of my Pumpkin Tofu Curry Soup, finally!  I have been adding things to it to spruce it up so tonight’s got some broccoli and bell peppers.

Along with an Arnold’s Thin with some hummus.

And then there was an unpictured bowl of Honey Grahams with a Dark Chocolate TJ’s PB Cup for dessert.  I needed sugar, alright?  It just might be that time…

I’m hoping the winds will be less intense tomorrow and the temps will go up so I can get in a run and have a decent day of work.  Not that work isn’t decent, but you know, I want to be comfortable doing it!

I’ll say hello to the birdies for you tomorrow.  I know they all say hi to you.

Fat Talk Free?

So, last week was Fat Talk Free Week and as much as I fight it I still fall victim to this habit more often than not.  But when I really think about it, I see how far I have come.

There are no more mirror checks.

There is no more belly pinching.

There is no more thigh slapping and poking.

There is more smiling.

There is more laughing.

There is more happiness.

There are more, “I feel pretty” moments.

I remember the days where I wouldn’t have even woken up fully and already hate my body.  I would work it to the extremes and still believe it hadn’t done enough, when in reality it was really doing just what it was told.  Oh how obedient our bodies are, and how little they get rewarded and recognized for it, by ourselves.

I know I am late on the bandwagon as Love Your Body Day was on 20 October, but because I struggle so much with body dysmorphia I wanted to make sure, even if it was just for myself, to realize how much my body has done for me and how I should be rewarding it and loving it like it truly it, bumps, bruises, scars, curves and all.

A few ways you can Love your body:

Laugh: There is nothing more fulfilling and exciting than laughing so hard you cry and can’t breathe. There is nothing greater than realizing how awesome you can feel when you simply laugh.  It can be over something as silly as your cat chasing her toys across the room or watching a sitcom.  But just laugh.

Enjoy the things you love: I find joy in many things but find that many of the things I enjoy I make into a necessity.  So step back and breath in those beautiful roses you planted, taste that decedent brownie right out of the oven, or dance around your apartment in the goofiest outfit you can pull out of your closet.  There is no shame in doing things you love, even when you feel you don’t have the time.

Treat yourself: Whether it’s to your favorite ice cream parlor for that seasonal flavor, or a mani or pedi you keep putting off, let your body know how special it is.  Give it the things it loves the most and make it the happiest.

Spend time with your friends: You know they always make you laugh and love you no matter what.  They are there for you through thick and thin and never turn their backs on you, even if the going gets tough and the tough keeps coming.  They know how you work and what you think, so they understand.  They love you, and so should you.

The list doesn’t have to end there.  How did you celebrate Love your body day?

~~

So luckily with my job, I get to make my own schedule and go out into the field whenever I want.  I knew it was going to be windy today judging by how bad it was blowing the rain horizontal last night when I got home, I figured I wake up to normalcy.

Not the case.  It looks like a hurricane blew through my town.  The grounds are flooded and covered in so many leaves the trees are bear.  There are branches and full trees that have been tossed and tumbled into the streets and across yards.  So, I didn’t go out into the field today; the winds were just too freak’n scary.  I mean, it was a WIND WARNING, not just a advisory, and we were hitting gusts at tropical storm speeds.  Yikes!

So I cuddles with the kitty, and my newly opened jar of almond butter.  Oh yeah, you heard that right.

Apple Almond Butter Oats anyone?  I’ve been waking up to an apartment in the high 50’s and low 40’s outside, so you can imagine I want something warm the second I get out of bed!

I spent the morning catching up on my google reader and diving into my new book I picked up at Target this weekend.  I’m already half way through it.

I had a snack almost around lunch of my PB Chocolate Chip Raspberry Bars (based on these bars) I made this weekend, as a way to get my apartment to warm up (I do have a heater, but I refuse to use it…I’m stubborn and cheap).

I spent the rest of the day reading some more, catching up on GG and OTH, doing some much needed laundry and playing w/ my lovely kitty.  I did have a lunch of sorts, at some point (our power went out at some point last night, and I have yet to reset the clock. I like not having a clock!) and it was…err…random?  A snacky combo: banana, peanut m&m’s and tj’s pb pretzel nuggets.  Oh yeah…it’s kinda balanced if you think about it: fruit, protein, carbs?  There may be some red dye #2 or yellow #40 but hey, I do what I can.  Besides, I just wanted chocolate damnit.

I finally settled on dinner and made sure to make it a bit more nutritionally sound after my lunch.  Because it’s so cold, what else would I want other than SOUP!  I froze some of the Pumpkin Tofu Curry Soup I made a few weeks ago and jazzed it up by adding some fresh spinach and half an ear of fresh corn.  Super tasty!

I cut up a bit too much spinach so I made it into a small side salad with a little bit of Italian dressing.

And of course some bread.  What soup can ever be eaten without bread?!  I would have loved to have had a chunk of a fresh baguette though…nomnomnom.  Good enough.

Well, I’m hoping tomorrow will be nicer than today, but I’m doubting it.  It’s still going to be cold.  And by cold I mean in the 50’s.  That’s freezing to me.  Yuck.  We’ll see though.

Oh wait, you wanted to know about my date?  Well, lets just say there is going to be another. That’s all I’m giving you for now. ((smirk))

Running Times

I’ve been reading so many posts about marathons it’s almost driving me crazy, but in a good way.  Sometimes it’s overwhelming and seriously, I don’t understand how they do it and stay sane.  But then I realize the  great things they get out of it and that’s all I need!

So, what did I go and do?  I know you saw this coming!  I’ve been a distance runner for over 10 years and this day was bound to come.  On 5 June, this is where I’ll be:

I’m going to run the San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll MARATHON!!!

This has been a long time coming. I tried running this race before, but did not finish.  I over-trained and hurt myself so badly I couldn’t finish.  Ok well, technically I came across the finish line, but I jumped in just before the half.  Now before you get on me for jumping in on a race, I paid for that sucker and put aside the time to train, whether it was on the street or the pool (I spent months aqua-jogging while injured to keep up my cardio/fitness).  But believe me, I still feel like a fraud going across the finish having only run the later half.  I wish I could take that back, but I wanted to run at least part of the race that badly.

Anyhow, I want to redeem myself.  I have wanted to do this for years, since 2007 when I tried to run it.  The biggest difference now is that I’ve learned so much more about training, my body, fueling and the like.  I’m still deathly afraid I’ll get injured and won’t be able to finish it, AGAIN, but I have to keep a positive attitude and see what will come out of it, right!? 

So, in order to keep me psyched for the race and in shape because well, I’m going to be living in the mountains where there is SNOW until April (!!!) I’ve signed up for a few other races to keep me excited.  And they’re my favorite kind!

I’m going to start the year off with a bang, and with some really great friends:

While I was in AZ last weekend I had a chat with Jill, Jenn’s business partner about running, when she mentioned her and Jenn would be running this race in January.  What?! Sign me up!  So on 17 January, I’ll be in the desert again, besides the one I’m in everyday, to run a 1/2 marathon!

And to keep me motivated through the cold and snow…since I HATE THE COLD, I’ve got another race in the books:

Oh yeah, the next to worst hilliest course I will have run.  If I thought the Oregon Wine and Country was hard, this one will be even worse.  I mean, look at this elevation chart!  Yikes!

Those last few miles will be ROUGH!  Alas, I’m running it to keep in shape and enjoy my first trip to Oakland, so I’ll be taking my time and hopefully helping my running buddy PR too!

And then the big one comes.  The one that I’ll train more than I ever have in my life and will probably kick my ass (literally and figuratively).  Now I have to say, as hard as this is going to be for me physically, it is definitely going to be a challenge for me mentally.

I have discussed this issue with several of my close friends and after some serious debating, we decided I’d be able to train for this race despite always feeling ruled by my eating disorder.  I have finally been able to change my perspective on what running is for and to me but there are still times where I struggle.  I used to believe every single run was just about burning calories to get me skinnier, and knowing full well it wasn’t the case, has finally become something I no longer believe.

Thank.Freakn.Goodness.  Because those days were horrible, running rain or shine, pair or not, fueled or not, they were not easy and really, I can’t remember too many runs I enjoyed.  But that’s all changed in the past year so hopefully leading up to the marathon will be just as great.  I want this first real marathon to be the most awesome ever.  I have no time I want to hit, I just want to finish the damned thing and want to have that 26.2 sticker on my car!  Yes, and the marathoner title.  That’s nice too.

What do you think? What’s your best suggestion for a first time marathoner?  I want all the help and SUPPORT I can get, because I know I’m gonna need it!

My Friday Night…So Exciting I Know.

It’s Friday! And finally the weekend!  Thank.Freak’n.Goodness!

Today, felt like the longest day on the planet.  I had two surveys to do and don’t get me wrong, I love birding…but omg it was so dull, and COLD, and WINDY.

But enough of my complaining! We don’t want that on a fabulous Friday night!  My eats weren’t very exciting today because my stomach is still off, so bear with them being so dull.  I hate to keep it easy to keep from…well, you know!

TJ’s Fiber O’s with the last of my Kashi Go Lean Crunch, a banana, strawberries and USVAB.

Multigrain Rudi’s Bagel w/ PB and an apple.

Added to lunch; Best Odwalla bar on the planet: Choco-walla.

There was a chocolate chip pumpkin muffin mid afternoon before my 6 miler; I’ve only run one other time this week!

An egg and two whites sided with spaghetti squash mixed with some very watered down TJ’s Marinara Sauce.

And a sweet peach to end the night.  Chocolate pretzels will probably make an appearance, but they’ll escape the camera of course.

Since it’s Friday and of course I’m just chill’n out at home, I thought I would steal Lisa’s ABC’s post.  It’ll help you learn more about why I do what I do…or am who I am.  haha.

THE ABC Survey.

A

What’s your age? 25

What annoys you? People who can’t drive. And then flip you off for following too close to get around them.

Do you have any allergies? Used to for fresh cut grass, but I grew up!

B

When is your birthday? 20 September, 1985

Who is your best friend? She who I’ve known since I was in kindergarten, sharing the same sailor dress for twin day.

What was the name of your first boyfriend? Does he have to be official? If so, then Al. And for almost 8 years after that.

C

What’s your favorite candy? 100 Grand or PB M&M’s
When was the last time you cried? Cry? There’s no crying in baseball?  Ok, last week when I laughed so hard I cried.
Have you been out of the country? Yes: Australia, New Zealand, England, Ireland and Wales.

D

Do you daydream? Never a dull moment.

What’s your favorite kind of dog? Golden or Labrador Retrievers .

Name a trait you share with your dad? We have blue eyes. Ok, I only have a spot. But we both see the adventure in things we’re scared of.

E

How do you like your eggs? Only scrambled. Or as quiche.

Have you ever been in the emergency room? Every 2.5 years up until I was 15. Broken bones people, I’m a clutz to the max!

What’s the easiest thing to do? Smile.

F

Have you ever flown a plane? Sadly no, but I’ve been close!

Do you use fly swatters? Does my hand count as one? I kid; yes I do.

What’s one thing you love about your family? There is never a dull moment; family dinners are open to any content and crazy!

G

Have you ever pet a goat? Yep, then it tried to pee on my brothers and I.

Are you a giver or a taker? I like to give, but receiving is nice.

Do you like gummie candies? Meh.

H

How are you? Tired but good. It’s the weekend!

What’s your height? 5’6”.

What’s your hair color? Brown. Blonde. Red. All the colors are there. Natural of course, to the max!

I

Favorite ice cream? Mint Chocolate Chip, all the way.

Have you ever cheated the IRS? Not that I’m aware of.

Have you ever ice-skated? Yes, lots in girl scouts and once on a first date.  That was fun.

J

What’s your favorite jelly bean? I.Hate.Jelly.Beans.

Do you wear nice jewerly? Nice? No. Cute? Yes.

Do you tell jokes? No, I always ruin them by not remembering it when I’m telling it.  Lame.

K

Do you want to kill anybody? Geez, no.

Do you want to have kids? If I do, there will be one. And her name will be Emiko.

Where did you have kindergarten? In California.

L

Are you laid back? Yeah, but I like to be spontaneous.

Do you lie? I think everyone does. Little white ones.  Or bad ones.

When’s the last time you sent a hand-written letter? Too long ago.  I need to get on that; this weekend!!!

M

Ever talked in a microphone? Yes, and I hated every second of it. Stupid senior seminar!

Do you like mangos? I thought I hated them having only had one before I went to Maui in 2004. Since then, I’m hooked.  Kent mangoes are THE BOMB.

Do you still watch Disney movies? Um, they run in my blood. I lived 6 miles from Disneyland growing up!

N

Do you have a nickname? Mel. Missy Miss.

Do you perfect night or day? Day; means the birds are out and I can see/hear them.

What’s your favorite number? 26.

O

Are you an only child? Nope, I have two awesome younger twin brothers.

Want this to be over? Yes.

Do you like the color orange? Yep! Go Centurions! Ok, not really.

P

What are you paranoid about? Ants. OMG get them away.

Do you think you are pretty? Yes.

Do you play any instruments? I played the piano for many many years.  Then I played the flute and piccolo in high school.

Q

Are you quick to judge people? Sometimes. I’m trying to break that habit.

What do you keep quiet about? Don’t you wish you knew.

Do you have any quirks? I squint, a lot.  Even when I don’t need to.  It makes me look mad ALL THE TIME.  Bad habit.

R

Do you think you are always right? Absolutely not.

Do you watch reality TV? No way.  Lame.

Do you like rice? I’m Japanese, that’s a dumb question.

S

Are you a social person? I’m trying.

What states have you lived in? California, Florida, Texas, Australia.

What’s your favorite season? Summer. Bring on the heat!

T

What time did you wake up? Far too early, normally before or at 5am.

When did you last sleep in a tent? Senior year of college.  In the Anza Borrego Desert.  That was fun!

Do you like tomatoes? Absolutely! A little bit of salt and pepper?! Nom nom!

U

Do you listen to Usher? How could I not?

What kind of underwear are you wearing? Tanga baby.

Do you have an umbrella in your car? Yep.

V

What’s your next vacation planned? Does San Fran for Foodbuzz Festival count? Otherwise no, I go on them on a whim! More fun that way!

Do you like movies with violence? Err, not really.  I like romantic comedies.  I’m a bit of a sap.

What’s the worst veggie? Do pickles count? Or olives? GROSS.

W

Have you ever wakeboarded? No, but knee boarding yes!

Do you wish on stars? Yes, I’m a dork.

Where do you work? In the desert by myself. With the birds.

X

Have you ever had an x-ray? Too many to count.

What do you think of X-rated movies? To each is own.

Have you watched the X-games?  Live in Huntington Beach, CA

Y

Do you like the color yellow? Yup.

What year were you born? 1985. I love being an 80’s baby!

What did you do yesterday? Went to work, birded, birded some more, more birding, then blogged and tried not to get sick.

Z

Do you believe in the Zodiac? No, but it makes me laugh.

Have you been to the zoo? Yes, and I don’t like them.

Has your bank account been to zero? Nope, thank goodness.

~~

What are some of YOUR ABC’s?